Citalopram

[citrusfruit1]

Hi everyone,

Could really use some support as I feel a bit alone. Mostly because I am not very good at communicating to those who love me. My anxiety is high and my mood is low. I was prescribed citalopram about 2 years ago but didn’t take it. I now really feel like I need it. My husband has been so fed up with me today, I feel like a burden. When I’m anxious I just opt out and we have two young children so I understand where he’s coming from but I don’t think he realises how much I’m struggling. He keeps asking what’s wrong but I don’t really know what’s wrong, then he gets frustrated as he thinks I’m deliberately not telling him, but I really don’t know what to say. I’ve come to bed and we aren’t really talking, I’m just so upset.

Is there anyone else who is about to start citalopram? I need to go back to the gp I think to get the ok before I start and I don’t know when I’ll get time. I’m really nervous about side effects so would love some support from someone in the same boat.

Citalopram was my best ever AD. It was the happiest I’d been. I didn’t have any side effects, certainly nothing that felt worse than I did without taking it. Phone the GP Monday, did they ever do blood tests? Thyroid issues and low iron can cause things like anxiety and depression so underlying causes should be ruled out. I hope things improve for you

You may be able to self refer for some help too.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/

Citalopram has done me wonders! The dip when you first take it can be a bit scary as things can get a little worse before it gets better, but once you past the first 2 3 weeks you will feel a lot better. Wish you all the best x

I took citalopram for about 2 years. The first couple of weeks left me an emotionless zombie but once past that I think it helped me to an extent.

Just take it like you should have done 2 years ago - your poor family. Dh and df have put me through hell for fucking about with their prescriptions.

Not helpful!

Thanks this is really helpful. I think it’s normal to be a little apprehensive so I’ll take all the time I need to consider and talk to my GP first. Really appreciate the positive stories.

I've been on it for about nine years. I didn't notice any side effects or any effects at all when I first started it on 10mg, or after a couple months when I went up to 20mg. I then jumped to 40mg which is the maximum dose and started to feel better. So I think I'm my case the lower doses were just too low (maybe because I'm quite a large person) or they just took a while - three months or so - to kick in. It doesn't make me feel wildly happy but it does make me feel more on an even keel.
My mood took a real dip last summer due to things going on in my life and I had six weeks of counselling which really helped.
Give it a go if you have some citalapram and they're within date, or if not contact your GP. They should really have reviewed you after prescribing it.

I'm on citalopram, it's my favourite ssri by far. It's done wonders for my mood. I've been on it long term, and have come off it at different points, but always went back as I don't seem to fair well without it. I'm on 20mg so not a really high dose. I dropped to 10mg for a while and it just didn't cut it.

I’ve been on twice in the past, once for depression, once for stress. I had no side effects whatsoever. Long time ago.
I’m on something else now, for anxiety, but I’m also on HRT meds so I don’t think it interacted well this time round.
If it doesn’t suit you, try something else. But it’s worth a go. Good luck. ❤️

Thank you everyone. I’ve been ill with an awful cough and DS is off school with a vomiting bug so I’m waiting to be in the clear before starting as would rather not have any side effects on top of all that. Thanks so much for the words of encouragement, it’s really given me a boost to give this a shot.

@citrusfruit1 hi, I was just wondering if you started the citalopram? I have just started and am 3 weeks in. Was a rough couple of weeks to start, and then I had a few days of feeling a bit better, but today isn’t such a good day and feel like I did when I started. Hoping that soon they kick in properly.

Hey monkey, I’ve been poorly and not wanted to start until I’m better but this virus is lasting forever. I really hope they kick in for you soon battling mental health is so tough.